ISLAMABAD: The New Islamabad International Airport would become operational by August 14 next year, as almost 82% work on the project had been completed.
“I will inaugurate the New Islamabad International Airport on August 14, 2017,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said while chairing a meeting on aviation affairs wherein he was briefed on the status and progress of work on airports in different parts of the country including Bannu and Mansehra.
The meeting was informed that 82% work on the new Islamabad airport had been completed and efforts were in place to complete the project within the allocated financial resources.
The prime minister was also apprised of peripheral facilities including link roads, water facilities and provision of natural gas, electricity as well as commuting facilities for the new airport. It was informed that Ramma Dam and Kasana Dam would supply water to the new airport. The prime minister expressed hope that the New Islamabad International airport would be an icon of professional excellence.
The meeting was also briefed on the extension of the Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Aviation Secretary Irfan Elahi, Civil Aviation Authority Director General Air Marshal (r) Asim Suleman and other senior government officials attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Premier Sharif Friday said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not merely a strategic agreement between Pakistan and China, but also a symbol of successful completion of 65 years of friendship between the two countries.
Talking to SEP/SPIC Chinese Group Chairman Wang Yundan here at PM’s House, the prime minister said the two countries have had always supported each other with a spirit of trust and honesty. “By working together, we can bring peace and stability to the region through economic development of our people,” he said.
The CPEC is a new concept of diplomacy based on shared goals of prosperity for Pakistan and the region, and a project to eliminate poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment, he maintained.
Yundan highly appreciated economic and financial policies of the government that had contributed towards the economic turnaround of the country. He said the resolve and commitment of Pakistan government to make CPEC a success was highly commendable.
Separately, the prime minister has invited Turkish investors to explore Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy sectors. He was talking to Foreign Economic Relations Board Turkey (DEIK) Chairman Omer Cihad Vardan on Friday, who is here to attend Pakistan-Turkey Business Round-table, being held as a follow up to the recent visit of Punjab’s chief minister to Turkey.
The prime minister said that Pakistan and Turkey had always lent support to each other through difficult times. Pakistan and Turkey are brotherly countries with a common history, and they should make it a priority to strengthen their relations in every aspect, he added.
Present at the meeting were Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Board of Investment Chairman Miftah Ismail.
